"websites subject to the state's age verification law will be legally barred from explaining how to use a VPN to get around age restrictions"
I thought the US has free speech?
I thought the US has free speech?
A more truthful take would be something like "Utah is the latest state to pass yet another law that conflicts with the constitution and will not go into effect".
Ironically, inaccurate journalism is a side effect of the freedom of speech that the first amendment grants us, but the benefits far outweigh the downsides, even if it means you need to dig around for better journalistic sources.
The law will go into effect probably. It may be negated later.
You could say that they are in effect when the law becomes official, but for all practical purposes, the prohibition on describing what a VPN is or how to use it is unenforceable and not in effect.
To negate a law consumes money and time. They are practical purposes. Or you predicted Utah will try to enforce the law never? Chilling effects are effects. And a reasonable person would not call someone untruthful because they predicted differently.
The headline was sensational. The law takes effect was not.